The city 23% (25)

The port 32% (34)

Jim Sandoval 45% (48)

Previously

When Chula Vista City Manager Jim Sandoval joined the Port of San Diego on a nine-day China trip to seek investors in his city’s waterfront development plan, the port picked up the tab.

The port says it paid $5,500 for Sandoval to attend the trip to China, although officials have not yet responded to a Sept. 21 request for documentation of actual expenses.

Sandoval and the port say they have a mutual interest and are working together to further that interest, with a $25,000 trip that could bring $2 billion of investment to port-administered land within the city limits. The delegation met with investment groups including China Investment Corp., a $410 billion sovereign wealth fund in Beijing.

Some in Chula Vista wonder how Sandoval is supposed to safeguard the city’s interests on the complex waterfront deal after accepting the free travel.

“The practical effect of it is that it is compromising,” said former councilman and current council candidate Larry Breitfelder. “Anytime someone else picks up the dime, they have you somewhat in their debt. We (the port and Chula Vista) are two distinctly different entities with different interests, and it’s never a good thing ... to be compromised in that situation.”

Steve Padilla, a former Chula Vista councilman and port commissioner, said Sandoval’s acceptance of the trip doesn’t necessarily pose a conflict because ultimately the City Council will direct Sandoval on how to negotiate with the port.

“Although in the interest of avoiding any confusion or accusation, it might be smart for the city manager to have attended and had the city cover his costs,” Padilla said.

Sandoval declined to discuss the trip, but issued a statement, saying, “The City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego have partnered for years on the Chula Vista Bayfront project and have shared costs on different project elements,” it said. “Regarding the China trip, this Bayfront project cost was paid for by the Port of San Diego.”

Since The Watchdog revealed the trip last month, a number of people have criticized the port for seeking Chinese investors for a plan that does not have any tenants, hoteliers or retailers signed on. Others have railed against the port’s decision to seek investors in China before looking domestically for money.

“I just didn’t understand what the point of it was; it seemed like a fishing expedition,” said David Danciu, president of Crossroads II, a local activist group. “It just sounds really bizarre at this stage to be going to China, and the city manager really doesn’t need to be going.”

Sandoval read a letter about the trip into the record at a port board meeting, in which he echoed the sentiments of port officials that the trip helped signal the joint commitment of both city and port to Chinese investors.

“It was exhausting, but very productive,” Sandoval said.

Port officials said that Sandoval’s presence on the trade mission was necessary to “lend credibility, respect and interest” to investors.

“Given the size and complexity of the ... project and China’s business culture, Mr. Sandoval’s presence will ... also signal serious intent to potential investors who are unfamiliar with the San Diego region in general and Chula Vista, in particular,” port spokeswoman Michelle Ganon said. “Mr. Sandoval will also be able to provide unique perspectives on the project landscape and investment potential, as he served as Chula Vista’s Planning Director for several years...”

Ganon later clarified her remarks, saying that port finance officials provided the investment perspective while Sandoval helped provide investors with other information about city projects that might make investing on the bayfront more palatable.